What I’ve dreamed of as a kid

President: Junior Politics in California (JPC) — Irvine, California

President: Republican Education Politics (REP) — Irvine, California

Member: California Association Student Council — Beckman High School

Intern: Assemblywoman Young Kim — Irvine, California

Volunteer: Ed Royce Campaign for Congress — Irvine, California

Volunteer: Steven Choi Campaign for Irvine Mayor — Irvine, California

Most people would shy away from listing their accomplishments as an opening for their personal statement. Literally and metaphorically, the structure and flow of this essay effectively captures how my interest in the political realm began with a sense of hubris but eventually evolved into something more meaningful.

Many critics would read my previous paragraph and state that I am speaking in generalities. Let me be specific. I started JPC and REP Clubs as an ardent Republican; however, countless Socratic debates with my Democrat and Independent club members have transformed my party affiliation to that of an Independent. This, I believe, is the true nature of politics — talking to one another, debating, and listening to arguments by colleagues across the aisle and then maturing.

However, I have gone beyond my clubs and student council and invested my time canvassing, calling and supporting three local politicians. My time with Young Kim, Ed Royce and Steven Choi has shown me how much work it takes to become an elected official. Admittedly, I have had numerous people slam the door in my face, so many hang up phone calls and a healthy amount of cursing. And yet, I am still as positive as ever. I think this is the essence of what makes politics an important field of study. As a prospective politician, my job is not just to represent those individuals who voted for me, but to also address the needs of the individuals who slammed doors, hung up telephones and even those few that cursed me out. You cannot be an elected official for 50%, 60% or even 75% of your community — you have to represent the complex, conflicting, and often paradoxical needs of all of the citizens in your hamlet.